Match Report – COWES SPORTS v Hamworthy United 22-02-20

Saturday February 22nd SYDENHAMS FOOTBALL LEAGUE (WESSEX) Premier Division
         COWES SPORTS 2(1) HAMWORTHY UNITED 3(1)
played at Westwood Park Attendance – 87
Referee – ADRIAN KNIGHT Assistants:- Alistair Taylor + Jamie Saltzer
 INJURY TIME STRIKE DENIES COWES SPORTS A POINT

Cowes Sports entertained mid table Hamworthy United at Westwood Park looking for revenge following their defeat on the mainland earlier in the season when a dodgy decision just before half time when the Yachtsmen had a goal disallowed that would have seen them lead 3 – 2 at half time.
Just one change to the starting line up saw Conor White replace Mitchell Ricketts who joined Aedan Coode, Tom Dye and Scott McFarlane on the bench.
Team:-
Edward Hatt, Conor White, James Wykes, Ashley Brett (c), Morgan Perrin, Ewan Cranwell, Finley Phillips, Gareth Bricknell, Jared Wetherick, Ji Nash, Michael McEnery
Subs:- Tom Dye, Mitchell Ricketts, Scott McFarlane, Adan Coode, Fraser Law g/k.
Although they had suffered defeat at Fareham the previous weekend, Cowes came into this fixture with confidence at the way they had played. Hamworthy saw a lot of the ball early on but it was the home side who struck first in the 9th minute when a long clearance from Conor White evaded the visitors defenders leaving Ji Nash and their keeper, Tom Rees, in a chase to the ball which the Cowes forward won to touch the ball past the keeper but the ball went out wide, no problem though as JI NASH rolled the ball in to the empty net from 25 yards out on the angle to give the home side the lead. Shortly after Morgan Perrin did well to clear the ball off his own goal line to deny an immediate response. Hamworthy then had a player sin binned for ten minutes for dissent. Cowes nearly took advantage as a Fin Phillips free kick picked out Jared Wetherick in the box, but his first attempt was blocked by a defender before a second shot was kept out by a combination of defender and keeper.  James King thought he had equalised in the 23rd minute but the offside flag had been raised. A minute later and a ball through the middle saw Gareth Bricknell racing towards goal only to be pulled back by left back Declan Randall. After consulting his Assistant, Referee Adrian Knight awarded Cowes a penalty and showed their left back a red card, after complaints from their bench the Referee changed his mind and issued a yellow card much to the anger of the home faithful. Eventually Ewan Cranwell stepped up to take the spot kick only to see his effort saved by Tom Rees. On 35 minutes Hamworthy’s Tom Copper became the second player to be sin binned for dissent. Connor Cocklin was the yellow carded for persistent fouling. A minute before the break, Ji Nash was put through with only the keeper to beat but blazed the ball over the crossbar. Then in the 47th minute a quick break from Hamworthy saw CONNOR COCKLIN blast the ball into the top of the Cowes net to equalise somewhat against the run of play.

Two early decisions in the second half saw both Connor Cocklin and Declan Randall commit fouls that were worthy of a yellow card, but both were spoken to instead as the Official bottled giving the red cards that were deserved. Firstly Ji Nash, then Michael McEnery were replaced by Aedan Coode and Scott McFarlane respectively. Neither side really created much until the 80th minute when Hamworthy broke down the Cowes right before the ball was crossed to and unmarked LOUIS COULSON who side footed the ball into the left corner of the Cowes goal to give his side the lead. Ami8nute from time a free kick by Ed Hatt found Jared Wetherick insider the Hamworthy area only to be fouled and a second penalty awarded to the home side. EWAN CRANWELL this time made no mistake to level the scores and looked like gaining Cowes a vital point. However two minutes into added time EDDIE HODGE was sent racing towards goal where he slotted the ball past Ed Hatt to score a winner for the visitors which was hugely undeserved. The last action of the game saw Louis Coulson sent off for foul language.

No one can fault the players attitude and commitment to the cause, but we need to stop conceding silly goals and maybe a decision or two will go our way. Keep faith and support the team and I am sue they will get the results needed and that their efforts deserve UTY.